News

Street Closure During Training Event

Post Date:09/27/2017 11:58 AM

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police Department will host the region’s largest emergency preparedness exercise on Saturday, Sept. 30, beginning at 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. the following morning. The full-scale exercise, taking place at MARTA’s Midtown Station, will simulate a crisis scenario complete with explosions, smoke, and actors to help create a realistic setting for first responders.

“These exercises are a critical tool that enables us to assess our response to crisis situations and identify areas for improvements,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker. “The recent terror attack on London’s rail system as well as natural disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma underscore the importance of running various scenarios.”

Beginning at 9 p.m. on Sept. 30, service on the north and southbound red and gold rail service lines will be interrupted. MARTA will establish a bus bridge to bypass the exercise. Patrons utilizing the bus bridge will be directed to exit at Arts Center Station or North Avenue Station and board a MARTA bus that will take them to the next available station.

MARTA officials are contacting local businesses and residents about the planned exercise to minimize confusion and alarm. “Businesses and residents in a five-mile radius of the MARTA Midtown Station may hear loud noises and see heavy police activity as part of this year’s exercise,” MARTA Police Chief Wanda Dunham said.

MARTA Emergency Preparedness Manager Lieutenant Aston Greene will be available for interviews about the exercise on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Midtown Station.

Simulated attack to look and sound real with theatrical explosions and smokeActors portraying victims will be in makeup to simulate realistic injuriesNo parking allowed at Midtown StationRail service for MARTA patrons will be modified to accommodate the exercise

MARTA station agents will assist patrons utilizing the bus bridge

Road

Closures: In support of the exercise, the following roads will be closed to through traffic:

Peachtree Place NE from West Peachtree St. NW to Peachtree St. NE beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30.

10th St. NE from West Peachtree St. NW to Peachtree St. NE beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Road closures will remain in place until 5 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1st. (see attached files)

Limited access will be provided for the Regency Suites parking deck and the Alta Midtown parking deck.